Getting creative + taking a mindful moment is really easy with these printable play mats!
Let's make it fun and playful!
This loose parts play printable + mindfulness prompts for kids are so simple to use, with many options for play and creating. Let's take a look at how we have been using them so far ...
These printable mats are available in the Playful Learning Printable shop here.
*IMPORTANT: Please ensure all play and art is actively supervised by an adult. All ideas shown here are recommended for children ages 3+ as they contain small parts which are choking hazards. You are responsible for deciding on the appropriateness of any of these activities for your child.
Exploring ways to use the art + loose parts play printable
Loose Parts with the Magical Mindfulness Printable
Here we used:
Buttons (ours are from Officeworks)
Transparent Rainbow Pebbles (Edex brand)
Any smaller loose parts would work with these. Your child can fill and decorate the outlines with their choice of loose parts.
Below the toadstool outline was decorated using shells and gemstones.
Watercolour Paints + the Magical Mindfulness Printable
Watercolour paint pallettes are easy to use and lots of fun too! The pallete pictured here is Micador brand and is a metallic one. The colours dry with a really nice shimmer.
Painting like this is easy to set up and is the perfect mindfulness activity.
*Note: I recommend putting down an art tray or some cardboard to catch any paint spills to ensure it doesn't stain.
Playdough + Buttons + the Magical Mindfulness Printable
Here we used a clear letter file from Officeworks to protect the printable so that we could use it with playdough (you can buy these in A3 size too). Write and wipe sleeves also work well. These are both great alternatives to laminating. It saves time and is better for the environment.
The playdough became a pretend potion with buttons added in too!
Playdough is fantastic for developing hand strength. Fine motor skills are also developed through this type of play and by picking up and placing the buttons.
White crayon + watercolour paint
Magic reveal fun with this creative activity!
Use the magic paper design with a white crayon to create a secret message/picture. Paint over the top with watercolour paint to reveal the surprise!
(This will also work by using a white candle to make marks on the paper to create the surprise design)
Benefits:
Easy to use
Print the pages off to use over and over again.
Can be used in multiple ways
Use with sibilings of different ages
Develop your child's creativity
Teach your child how to use mindfulness strategies in their daily lives (very important in this very fast paced and often overwhelming modern world that we live in).
Perfect resource for when a creative or calming activity is needed quickly (e.g. after school, when cooking tea, on the weekend).
Opportunities for playful learning:
Developing creativity
Developing fine motor skills
Developing hand eye coordination
Teaching how to use mindfulness activities to lead a calm, balanced and healthy life.
Exploring using a range of art materials.
Decision making - allowing child to decide for themselves how to use these pages.
Feeling calmer after having a mindful moment or two!
Developing ability to manage ones own emotions through mindfulness activities
You might also like these blog posts:
with free VIP printable mats including the popular rainbow template!
Mindfulness Prompts for Kids
These are also included in the printable:
Mindful moment cards for kids - 10 designs colourful printable cards with simple mindfulness prompts to help your child focus on being in the moment and feeling calmer.
Ideas for use:
Print and display a card of the day/week for a mindful moment
Print 2 to a page and put onto a ring to use in a calming basket/space at home/school for a mindful moment.
Display as part of a mindfulness themed space.
Add into your daily routine ... pick a card to do together before school, in the classroom as part of the morning/after recess/end of day routine, before bedtime to help your child feel calmer.
Playfilled Motherhood subscribers can download your copy of this printable below or in the hub.
You can subscribe to Playfilled Motherhood for a library of printables + play ideas here.
Thank you for reading this blog post. I hope you found some inspiration for ways that you can easily use the loose parts/art printable for mindfulness time. Taking some time out of our busy days is important to help our kids take a breath and enjoy a quiet moment or two.
Loose parts, playdough, watercolour paints, or other art supplies all pair perfectly with these mindful play mats!
If you haven't already you can try out some of our free mindful play mats here.
If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with someone else who might also enjoy it.
Until next time, have fun learning in a playful way!
Danica
For more play and learning ideas, visit the homepage now.